Which of the following is true regarding hand washing?

Appeared in: NHM MP Staff Nurse-2019

Explanation

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a 6-step technique for hand washing.
The recommended duration for effective hand washing with soap and water is 40 to 60 seconds.
This combination ensures that all surfaces of the hands and wrists are mechanically cleaned to remove microorganisms.
The option of 6 steps and 60 seconds aligns with the upper end of the WHO's recommended time frame, making it the most accurate choice.

Option A: A duration of 15 seconds is too short for effective removal of microorganisms with soap and water. The CDC recommends a minimum of 20 seconds of scrubbing alone.
Option C: A duration of 120 seconds (2 minutes) is excessive for routine hand washing.
Option D: While some diagrams show up to 11 pictures for the entire process (including turning on/off tap), the core scrubbing technique is 6 steps. A 30-second duration is for alcohol-based hand rubs, not soap and water washing.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Hand Hygiene Procedures as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Proper hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), protecting both patients and healthcare workers.
Nurses must perform hand hygiene at the '5 Moments for Hand Hygiene': 1) before touching a patient, 2) before a clean/aseptic procedure, 3) after body fluid exposure risk, 4) after touching a patient, and 5) after touching patient surroundings.
What if? If hands are not visibly soiled and there is no contact with spore-forming organisms (like C. difficile), an alcohol-based hand rub is the preferred method, and the duration changes to 20-30 seconds.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of a fundamental nursing procedure.
First, identify the two key components of the question: the number of steps and the duration of hand washing.
Recall the standard guidelines for clinical hand hygiene, primarily from the WHO or CDC.
Evaluate each option by comparing its stated steps and time with the standard protocol.
Eliminate options with incorrect durations (e.g., 15 seconds is too short, 120 seconds is for surgical scrub) or an incorrect combination of steps and time (e.g., 30 seconds is for hand rub, not wash).
Select the option that most accurately reflects the recommended procedure for hand washing with soap and water (6 steps, 40-60 seconds).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q0TYsMYttpNPD4vWM6H6fy

E6 Nursing Vital Signs p. 38-40

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 184-186

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 234-236

Practise the full NHM MP Staff Nurse-2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.